No, open burning in Chile is prohibited nationwide under DS 38/2011 (Environmental Regulation for Agricultural Burning), enforced by the Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente (SMA). Exceptions exist only for emergency wildfire control or specific agricultural waste under regional permits, with 2026 mandates tightening enforcement via satellite monitoring and fines up to 10,000 UTM (~$800,000 USD).
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Chile
- DS 38/2011: Bans all non-emergency open burning, including crop residue, with penalties ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 UTM for violations.
- Regional Permits: Limited exceptions require prior approval from Seremis de Agricultura and SMA, valid only for agricultural waste under strict emission controls.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: New satellite-based monitoring (Sistema de Monitoreo de Incendios Forestales) will auto-flag violations, reducing manual inspections.
Local governments (e.g., Región Metropolitana) may impose additional restrictions under Plan de Descontaminación Atmosférica, banning burning even in permitted zones during high-pollution episodes. Violators face immediate fines and potential criminal liability under Law 20.417 for environmental crimes.